Looks to be mostly classic cuts this month, but particular highlights include pre-sampling hypocritical genius from James Brown, sampling David Bowie’s Fame in his track Hot (I Need To Be Loved Loved Loved), oft-sampled gems from the likes of Pointer Sisters, The Delfonics and Lee Dorsey, Bowie himself in the form of floor-filler Fashion and some new (!) music from upcoming album Blackstar (Is it about Kendrick?). There’s post-punk electronic tangents from Curis & Cosey, Porsche Majeure and Sleaford Mods, not one but TWO face-pullers from The Isley Brothers and even some real tasty UK Hip-Hop from Loyle Carner (and the Barry White sample from Roots’ new cut). Just to name a few!

I’m really excited about the MED/BLU/MADLIB collab. feat. MF DOOM, called Knock Knock from the fresh album BAD NEIGHBORS. Such a groove! Proof that Tha’ Beat Konductor can still pick ’em.

So, it looks like all I did in October was listen to the radio – here’s 95 (!) selections from this month’s programming.

As such, there’s a pretty eclectic mix here – some Afrobeat from Rim Kwaku Obeng, Elecronica grooves from the likes of Nao and new Aphex Twin, downtempo grooves from folks like Warmth and Morcheeba, a fantastic return from Roots Manuva (and Guy Garvey’s new track really gets down and dirty!), Jazz Music (Kamasi Washington Jr. ftw), Roots Reggae, Hip-Hop, old favs… it’s all over the place, so feel free to stick it on in the background and let it wash over you.

“When I brought it to the record company, it shocked a lot of people,” Prince told Rolling Stone of Dirty Mind. “But they didn’t ask me to go back and change anything, and I’m real grateful. Anyway, I wasn’t being deliberately provocative. I was being deliberately me.”

Even if you know the stories, have heard the album, know about His Royal Badness’ bitter history with the “King of Punk Funk” Rick James (bitch) and dig the context, this great Pitchfork article from their next ‘review’ issue is still a great and insightful read. A lot of people who don’t know much about Prince always peg him as a power-balladeering short guy – who might be gay. Which is hugely selling short the notion of a black artist coming out of (traditionally in the mainstream) white Minneapolis, blending R&B, Rock n’ Roll, New Wave and (Post?) Punk into a truly crossover music, with a mixed-race, mixed-gender band and a deliberately ambiguous omni-sexual image with religious overtones in the lyrics? In the early ’80s?!

I swear, I’m tagging so many tracks from 6 Music that I can’t keep track of potential doubles in these playlists? But it’s cool – it’s all good listening!

Some Really Heavy Grooves this month, too many to mention – T.S.S. Groove, Gary Clarke, Jr., Tuxedo, Kate Tempest, The Souljazz Orchestra… Plus some heritage tips from the likes of Shuggie, Sly, Liquid Liquid and Jimi, and the Theme from The Warriors to celebrate the gang coming out to play in Coney for one last time earlier in the month Even some reggae thrown in for good measure 😀

Enjoy. Stick it on in the background, and try to stop your toe tappin’.